Shoring structure for concrete forms



W. A. JENNINGS SHORING STRUCTURE FOR CONCRETE FORMS Nov. 5, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 50, 1965 Hzao 0 ODOI 000 Nov. 5, 1968 w. A. JENNINGS 3,409,266

SHORING STRUCTURE FOR CONCRETE FORMS Filed Aug. 30, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet .3

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M44 MM 4. JE/V/W/VGS z w m 1968 w. A. JENNINGS SHORING STRUCTURE FOR CONCRETE FORMS Filed Aug. 30, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q m m w 7 6 W MM W1 w M A M a .llhwil. a

xyum United States Patent-O SHORING STRUCTURE FOR CONCRETE FORMS Wilham A. Jennings, Des Moines, Iowa, assignor to Economy Forms Corporation, Des Moines, Iowa,

a corporation of Iowa.

Filed Aug. 30; 1965, Ser. No. 483,587 7 Claims. (Cl. 249-18) ABSTRACT or THE DISCLOSURE The shoring structure is forsupporting metal forms in the construction of an elevated concrete floor or top wall and is of a knockdown Construction capable of assembly on the job without the use of special tools. The structure comprises four shoring units or corner posts, connected together to form a rigid supporting frame structure. Each post has a fiat top surface and slidably carries adjacent its upper end a vertically movable mounting'unit for adjustable movement relative to the top surfaces of the Posts. Extended between each pair of longitudinally spaced corner posts and releasably connected to a corresponding pair of mounting units is a truss assembly that has a flat top surface. Metal forms are extended between and releasably connected to the truss assemblies with flat top surfaces thereof in the plane of the top surfaces of the truss assemblies. When the mounting units are moved to first elevated positions; the top surfaces of the posts are in the plane of the top surfaces of the metal forms and truss assemblies so as to form therewith a continuous concrete supporting area. After the concrete has been poured and is in a slab form, the truss assemblies and forms are dropped, on movement of the mounting units to second lowered positions thereof, to positions wherein their top surfaces are below the slab which continues to be supported on the top surfaces of the corner posts. The metal forms are then removable from the truss assemblies which in turn are removable from the lowered mounting units to provide for a reuse of the metal forms and truss assemblies at another location.

This invention relates generally to a metal concrete form assembly and more particularly to a shoring structure for supporting metal forms in the construction of an elevated concrete floor or top wall. y

An object of this invention is to provide an improved shoring structure for metal concrete forms.

Another object of this invention is to provide a shoring structure of a knockdown construction, capable of being quickly assembled on the job without the use of special tools.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a shoring structure for metal concrete forms wherein the forms are detachably carried on vertically adjustable supports that are movable to a first working or load supporting position and to a second rest or non-load supporting position wherein the forms may be removed from or connected to the adjustable supports.

A further object of this invention is to provide a shoring structure of a knockdown construction wherein the frame assembly has the parts thereof detachably connected together and releasably locked against separation 3,409,266 Patented Nov. 5, 1968 lgy positive acting latch units secured to the frame memers.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a shoring structure that is readily connectable in series with like shoring structures to form a shoring assembly having a desired concrete supporting area.

A still further objectof this invention is to provide a shoring structure of a knockdown construction that is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to set up into a rigid as sembly, and formed of parts that can be handled by one man. 4

Further objects, features and advantages of this inven-' tion will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shoring structure of this invention shown in assembly relation with metal concrete forms;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a plurality of the shoring structures of FIG. 1 connected together to form a continuous supporting area, with a part of the poured concrete being broken away for the purpose of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of a corner post embodied in the shoring structure of this invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectionalview taken along the line 66 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrated similarly to FIG. 3 but showing the parts thereof in changed positions;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the lower portion of a corner post showing its adaptation for a series assembly of the shoring structuring of this invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a corner post showing a latch unit which forms part of the shoring structure of this invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view taken along the line 1010 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view as seen on the line 1111 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged detail perspective view of a brace assembly shown generally in FIG. 1, with parts broken away for clarity;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 13-13 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic showing of a pair of the shoring structures of this invention assembled in a vertically stacked or superposed relation;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a coupler unit used to connect the vertically stacked shoring structures shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary side elevational view of th corner post portion shown in FIG. 5; and 1 FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along the line 17-17 in FIG. 16.

,With reference to FIG. 1 the shoring structure of this invention, indicated generally at 20, is shown in assembly relation with concrete metal forms 21. The shoring structure comprises a knockdown frame unit including four corner posts 22 releasably connected together by-means including upper and lower connecting frames 23 and 24, respectively, of a like construction and releasably connected in like manner with the corner posts 22. Only the lower frame 24, therefore, will be described in detail with like parts being indicated by like numerals.

The lower frame 24 has pairs of oppositely arranged side members 26 and 27 with each pair being of a like construction. All of the side members 26 and 27 are illustrated as being formed of an angle iron material faced inwardly with the legs 28 and 29, respectively, thereof (FIGS. 1 and 8) arranged horizontally and uppermost.

A leg 28 of a side member 26 (FIG. 8) is provided at each end thereof with a flat longitudinal extension 31. Adjacent the free end of the extension 31 and projected downwardly therefrom is a tapered connecting pin 32. A leg 29 of a side member 27 is provided at each of its ends with a flat extension 33 of a generally trapezoidal shape so that the terminal end portion of the extension 33 has a width greater than the width of the leg 29. Oppositely arranged transversely of the terminal or free end portion of an extension 33 is a pair of downwardly projected connecting pins 34.

The side members 26 and 27 are connected to the comer posts 22 through laterally extended peripheral upper flanges 36 mounted on and about a corner post 22. As shown in FIG. 8 a corner post is of a tubular construction of a square shape in transverse section with a mounting flange 36 being of a corresponding square shape in plan view. A hole 37 is formed in each corner of a flange 36 with an intermediate hole 38 being additionally formed in the oppositely arranged flange side section 39.

For the purpose of convenience the side members 26 will hereinafter be referred to as longitudinal frame members and the side members 27 as transverse frame members.

The longitudinal frame members 26 are extended between each pair of longitudinally spaced posts 22 with a tapered pin 32 at each end thereof inserted within a corresponding adjacent intermediate hole 38 (FIG. 8). In like manner the transverse frame members 27 are ex-v tended between and connected to transversely spaced pairs of posts 22 by insertion of a pair of the tapered pins 34 at the ends thereof within adjacent corresponding holes 37 of the flanges 36.

The tapered pins 32 and 34 are locked against acciw dent-al' removal from their associated flanges 36 by the provision of latching or locking units, indicated generally at 41, adapted for coacting locking engagement with the mounting flanges 36. A locking unit 41 is carried at each end of the vertical legs 42 and 43 of the side members 26 and 27, respectively. Since each locking unit 41 is similar in construction and operation only one thereof will be described in detail with like numbers being used to indicate like parts.

As shown for the transverse member 27 in FIG. 9 the lock or latching unit 41 includes a U-shape bracket 44 faced downwardly and welded at one end to the outer surface of the vertical leg 43 adjacent to and below the extension 33. Slidably mounted in the bracket 44 for movement in a direction longitudinally of the transverse member 27 is a bolt 46 of a rod construction having a laterally bent handle 48. The bolt 46 is inclined in an upward and outward direction toward the extension 33 so that when it is in a fully projected position from the bracket 44 its free end 49 is adjacent to andspaced from the under side of the extension 33 a'distance equal substantially to the thickness of the upper mounting flange 36.

The bolt 46 is held in projected and retracted positions relative to the mounting bracket 44 by a keeper member 51 secured to and extended laterally from thebolt 46 in the same direction as the handle 48. The keeper 51 is selectively engageable with the opposite sides of a stop member 52 projected laterally from a bottom plate 53 secured to the bracket 44. As illustrated in FIG. 9 the stop member 52 is formed by cutting out sections of the plate 53 to each side thereof.

In the connecting of a transverse member 27 with a flange 36 the bolt 46 is in its retracted position wherein the keeper member 51 is against the side 54 of the stop member 52. After the tapered pins 34 have been inserted within their corresponding openings 37 the bolt 46 is rotated by manipulation of the handle 48 to move the keeper member 51 out of an engaging position with the stop member 52 to permit extension of the bolt 46 from the bracket 44. On being extended the terminal end 49 of the bolt 46 is engageable with the under side of that section of the mounting flange 36 to which the extension 33 is connected. By virtue of the upward and outward inclination of the bolt 46 relative to the longitudinal axis of the transverse member 27 the bolt end 49 functions as a follower relative to the under side of the flange 36 whereby to positively pull the tapered pins 34 into fully inserted positions within their corresponding holes 37 along with clamping the extension 33 against the mounting flange 36.

The bolt 46 is then again manipulated through the handle 48 to move the keeper member 51 into its engaged position with the stop member 52 as shown in FIG. 9. The inclination of the bolt 46 and the relative arrangement of the keeper member 51 and handle 48 with the stop 52 functions to maintain the bolt 46 in locked position. The transverse member 27 is thus positively and rigidly held in a connected position with the flange 36.

It is to be noted that this rigidity is complemented by the flush bearing engagement of the under side of the extension-33 with the top side of the mounting flange 36. It is to be understood also that the above operation and function of the locking unit 41, as described in connection with FIG. 9, is identical for all of the frame members 26 and 27.

Lower mounting flanges 56 (FIGS. 1 and 8) corresponding to the upper mounting flanges 36 are extended about and secured to the posts 22 at positions vertically spaced below a corresponding mounting flange 36. Each lower flange 56 is of a square shape in plan view with a hole 57 in each of its corners.

A pair of horizontal diagonal brace members 58 are connected to diagonally opposite posts 22 at the lower flanges 56. Each brace member 58 is of the same construction as a longitudinal frame member 26 except for being longer. An extension 59 at each end of a brace member 58 carries a downwardly projected tapered pin 61 for reception within adjacent corresponding corner holes 57.

Vertically opposite ones of the frame members 26 and 27 are connected together by upright diagonal brace members 62 (FIG. 1). The brace members 62 are similar in construction and operation so only one thereof will be described in detail with like numbers being applied to like parts. An upright brace member 62 is of a pipe construction (FIGS. 10 and 11) having welded to each end thereof one leg 63 of an angle connector 64, the other leg 66 of which is positionable in a side-by-side relation with the vertical legs 42 and 43 of the frame members 26 and 27, respectively. A straight connecting pin 67 is rotatably supported in the connector leg 66 and extends laterally therefrom in the opposite direction from the connector leg 63.

The pin 67 has a head portion to which is secured a radially extended handle 68. The shank of the pin 67 is formed with an elongated opening 69 extended diametrically of the pin in the same direction as the handle 68. It is seen, therefore, that the handle not only provides for manipulation of the pin 67, but also functions as a counterweight to maintain the opening 69 in an upright position concurrently with acting as a visual indicator of such upright position. The pin 67 is maintained against removal from the connector leg 66 by a'stop plate 71 secured as by welding to the connector leg 63 in a spaced parallel relation with the connector leg 66.

In connecting an upright brace 62 to the longitudinal frame member 26 (FIGS. and 11) the pin 67 is inserted through an opening 72 formed in the vertical leg 42of the member 26 so that the pin opening 69-is located below its horizontal leg 28. Formed in the horizontal leg 28, directly above and in vertical alignment with the pin 69, is a slot 73 for receiving a fiat tapered wedge 74. The wedge 74 is secured to a stop plate 76 which in'turn is connected by a chain 77 to the brace member 62. Insertion of the wedge 74 through the opening 69 and slot 73 is limited by the engagement of the stop plate 76' with the horizontal leg 28 of the longitudinal frame member 26. 1 i r r "*The frame unit thus far described is seen to be of a knockdown construction having all of its parts of a size and weight adapted for easy handling by one man. It will be further noted that no tools are required in the connecting together of the various frame members and that such members are relatively constructed and assembled to pro- 'vide rigidity at all of the connecting areas or zones. "The forms 21 are supported on the corner posts 22 for adjustable up and down movement by the provision of means including pairs of identical mounting units 78 (FIGS. 1 and 5) secured to the upper ends of the posts. A mounting unit 78 includes a tubular housing or sleeve 79 of a square shape in transverse section and of a size to be received in a telescoped relation about the upper end of a post 22 so as to constitute an upper extension for a post (FIG. 5). The upper end of the sleeve 79 is closed by a cover plate 80 and its lower portion' is secured to a post 22 by welding or like means.

Slidably supported on a sleeve 79 is a pair of oppositely arranged upright slide members 81 (FIGS. 5 and 6) of a channel shape in'transverse section. The slide members 81 face each other with their leg sections 82 in a straddling relation with the longitudinal sides of the sleeve, and with' 'their base sections 83 in contact engagement with the transverse sides of the sleeve 79. The upper portions of the leg sections 82 project upwardly from the upper edge 85 of the base section 83 to form ears 84 for carrying transversely aligned guide pins 86. As best appears in FIG. .6 each pair-of aligned pins 86 is received in correspondingupright elongated slots 87 formed in the longitudinal sides of a sleeve 79. It is seen therefore that the pins are guidably retained in the slots toprovide for an up" and down slidable movement of the slide members 81 relative to the sleeve 79. 1

*Slidable movement of the slide members '81to load and non-load supporting positions for the forms-21 is accomplished by means including a tubular upright guide ing the opposite sides thereof selectively engageable with the keeper member 97.

The upright guide bar 89 is provided adjacent its lower end with a hole 101 for receiving the bolt 94, when the hole 101*is in axial alignment with the holes 93. When the bolt 94 -is in its position shown in FIG. 5 the guide bar 89 is freely movable within the guide member 88. In other words the bolt 94 is out of the path of movement of the guide bar 89. This retracted position of the bolt is maintained by engagement of the keeper member 97 with the stop member 98, with the depending positions of the keeper member 97 and handle 96 providing for these members acting as counterweights to hold the bolt against rotation from its guide bar releasing position.

On upward movement of the slide member 81 and in turn of the guide bar 89 to a position providing for the axial alignment of the holes 93 and 101, the bolt 94 is manipulated for insertion through the hole 101 whereby to hold the guide bar and in turn the slide member 81 in an elevated position and against downward movement. This elevated or load supporting position of the mounting unit 78 is maintained by engagement of the keeper member 97 With the stop 98 as shown in FIG. 6.

member 88 (FIGS. 5' and 6) secured to a transverse side of a sleeve 79 adjacent the lower end thereof. Receivable in a guided relation within the guide member 87 is an upright guide bar 89 having its upper end 90 secured as by welding to the outside surface of the base section 83 of a slidable member 81 so that the unsecured portion of the guide bar 89 is movable within the guide member'88. A non-load supporting position of the forms 21 is defined by the engagement of the lower edge 91 of a slide member 81 with the top edge of a corresponding guide member 88.

Secured to one side of the guide member 88 and to'its corresponding sleeve 79 so as to extend laterally from the guide member is a U-shaped bracket 92 the legs of which extend downwardly. The legs of the bracket and opposite sides of the guide member 88 are formed with transversely aligned openings 93 to slidably receive a bolt 94 of a rod construction having a laterally extended handle 96 at the end thereof remote from the guide member 88. A keeper member 97 is secured to and laterally extended from the bolt 94 in the same direction as the handle 96 but at a position between the legs of the bracket 92. Extended between and connected to the lower ends of the bracket legs is a plate member 98 formed with a stop member 99 hav- To carry the metal forms 21 in a supported position on the slide members 81 there is provided a pair of longitudinal truss assemblies 102 each of which is extended between and connected to a corresponding pair of longitudinally spaced mounting units 78. The truss assemblies 102 are similar in construction, operation and in their assembly with the mounting units 78.

A truss assembly 102 includes a body member constituting a metal form 103 of an inverted U-shape in transverse section and of a width substantially equal to the transverse dimension of a tubular sleeve 79. The legs 104 (FIGS. 4 and 5) of the truss form 103 are each formed with a series of longitudinally spaced openings 106 for a purpose to appear later. Secured to and extended transversely of a truss form 103 are a series of upright plate members 107 having form receiving hooks 108 projected laterally from opposite sides of the truss form 103.

As best appears in FIG. 4 each form receiving hook 108 has a flat base portion 109 which lies in a plane common to the plane of the lower ends of the truss form legs 104 and a side surface 111 inclined upwardly and outwardly from the base portion 109. The plate members indicated as 1070 (FIGS. 1 and 5) are arranged at each end of a truss form 103. The remaining plate members 107 are in pairs longitudinally of a truss form.

To connect a truss form 103 with a mounting unit 78 each slidemember 81 has secured to the outer surface of its base section 83, and at the upper end of the base section, a combination guide and connector plate 112.

Each plate (FIGS. 5 and 6) has a fiat lower section 113 and an outwardly and upwardly inclined top section 114 having sides 116 which converge in an upward direction. Referring to FIG. 16 it is seen that the junction of the upper section 114 and lower section 113 is located above the upper edge of the slide member base section 83. A transversely extended groove or pocket 117 is thus formed by the upper edge 85, the upper end of the lower fiat section 116, and adjacent portions of the ears 84 and sleeve member 79. Also as shown in FIG. 17 the width of the flat section 113 is substantially equal to the transverse spacing between the legs 104 of a truss form 103.

In the connecting of a truss assembly 102 with a mounting unit 78 a slide member 81 is in its lowered position as shown in FIG. 7 or for the right-hand slide member 81 in FIG. 5. A truss assembly 102 is then manually raised to a position extended between a pair of longitudinally spaced posts 22 with a plate member 107a hung over the upper or inclined section 114 of a corresponding connector plate 112. On lowering of the truss assembly 102 the inner surfaces of the legs 104 of a truss form 103 (FIG. 17) are guidably engaged by the tapered sides 116 of the inclined section 114 to guide the lower edge of a plate 7 member 107a into a pocket 117 with the outer surfaces of the legs in alignment with the longitudinal side surfaces of a sleeve 79. A truss assembly 102 is thus supported directly on the upper edge 85 of a slide member 81 against transverse and longitudinal movements relative to the sleeve 79.

As also clear-1y appears in FIG. 16 the end surface of a truss form 103 and side surface of a plate member 107a are in flush contact engagement with an adjacent transverse surface of the sleeve 79. Thus on raising of a truss assembly 102 to a load supporting position, as shown in FIG. 3, the top surface of a truss form 103 is continuous with and in the plane of the cover plate 80 of a sleeve member 79.

With the truss assemblies 102 thus supported between longitudinally spaced posts 22 and, while in their lower or non-load supporting positions, the forms 21 are assembled therewith. Each form 21 (FIGS. 1 and 2) includes a base or plate member 118 of a rectangular shape having side and end flanges 119 and-121, respectively, extended laterally from one side. The flanges 119 and 121 are formed with openings 122 in a spaced arrangement corresponding to the holes 106 in the truss form 103 so that when the holes 106 in the truss form 103 are in axial alignment with the openings 122 the forms 21 and 103 are connectable with their upper or supporting surfaces in a common plane. Connection is made by the use of form clamps 123 extendible through aligned'holes in adjacent forms and adapted to be clamped thereto. For a more detailed description of the forms 21 and clamps 123 reference is made to Patent No. 2,870,516.

In the assembly of a form 21 with a truss form 103, the ends of aform 21 are positioned over the hooks 108 of corresponding pairs of plate members indicated as 107b in'FIG. 3. In other words the plate members 107b are located adjacent opposite transverse corners of a form 21, so that all four corners of a form 21'have associated hooks 108. As shown in FIG."4 a form 21 is guided by a hook side portion 111 into a supported position on a base portion 109 wherein the holes 106 of the truss form 103 and the holes 122 in a form 21 are at the same vertical height. A form 21 then need only be transversely adjusted to axially align the holes 106 and 122 for connecting the forms by means of the clamps 123.

The transverse and longitudinal dimensions of a form 21 correspond to the transverse and longitudinal spacing between the posts 22. In other words the transverse dimension of a form 21 is an equal multiple of the longitudinal distance between the longitudinal center lines A of the posts 22 (FIG. 2) and the longitudinal dimension of a form 21 is of a length equal to the transverse spacing between the truss forms 103. The forms 21 are thus connectable directly to a truss form 103 and to each other by the clamps 123 so as to form a continuous concrete supporting surface area comprised of the upper surfaces of the forms 21, truss forms 103 and cover plate 80 for the sleve member 79. Also by the interconnecting of the forms 21 and truss forms 103 it is apparent that such surface area is movable as a unit between load and non-loading supporting positions, shown in FIG. 3 and 7, respectively, in response to the vertical adjustment of the slide members 81.

On assembly of the forms 21 with the truss assemblies 102 this composite assembly is moved to the load supporting position of FIG. 3 which is determined by the insertion of the bolts 94 through the guide bars 89 on the slide members 81. The height of the load supporting position may be varied by manipulation of jacks or lifting units 125 operatively associated with the lower ends of the corner posts 22. Concrete,indicated at 131 (FIGS. 2 and '3), is then poured over the forms 21 and 103 and permitted to set.

The truss assemblies 102 are then lowered to their positions shown in FIG. 7 providing for the removal of the forms 21 for use at another location with another shoring structure 20 of this invention. With the forms 21 removed the shoring structure 20 may be dismantled, reused at another location or continued in situs with the truss assemblies 102 alone moved to load supporting positions to support the newly set concrete floor while it serves as a base for the forming of another concrete floor thereabove.

To prevent any accidental lateral tilting movement of the truss assemblies 103, transverse brace members 126 (FIG. 1) are connected between lower longitudinal truss members 127 which form part of a truss assembly 102. A truss member 127 is connected to a corresponding truss form 103 by means including upright brace members 128.

As best appears in FIG. 12 the truss member 127 and upright brace members 128 are of an angle iron construction having leg sections 129 and 131, respectively, welded together in a side by-side relation. A flat upright longitudinally extended connector plate 132 is attached as by welding to the legs 129 and 131 so as to lie within the plane of the leg 129 with opposite side portions extended outwardly from opposite sides of the leg 131. The upper end of the connector plate 132 is formed with a pair of spaced guide notches 133 located at opposite sides of the upright brace member 128. It is to be understood that the connector plates 132 on the truss members 127 are arranged opposite each other with the notches 133 therein in alignment transversely of the shoring structure 20.

A transverse brace member 127 is provided at each of its ends with a fiat upright connecting member 134 (FIG. 13) arranged in a plane normal to the plane of the connector plate 132. In this respect it is to be understood that the connecting members 134 on the brace member 127 are in a common plane. An upright slot 136 open to the lower end of the connecting member 134 has side wall portions 137 at the opposite ends thereof spaced a distance apart equal substantially to the thickness of the connector plate 132. The intermediate portion of the slot 136, as indicated at 13-8, is of a width greater than the thickness of the connector plate 132.

In use a transverse member 126 is extended between the longitudinal trust members 127 with the slots 136 open to corresponding transversely opposite notches 133 in the connector plate 132. On downward movement of a connecting member 134 relative to a connector plate 132 such parts are interlocked in a rigid right angle relation with the connecting member 134 extended downwardly so as to receive a portion of the leg 129 within the slot 136. It is to be noted that the slot sidewall portions 137 constitute spaced bearing surfaces engageable with the connector plate 132 to prevent rocking movement of the transverse member 126 relative to the connector plate 132.

For additional rigidity between the truss assemblies 102 transverse brace members 126 can be assembled in pairs by merely utilizing the second set of transversely aligned notches 133 in the connector plates 132.

In some construction work it may be necessary to lay a floor or ceiling at a height greater than can be accommodated by the use of a single shoring structure 20 of this invention. Where this occurs a pair of the structures 20 may be used in a vertically stacked relation as illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 14.

For this purpose there is provided a post coupling means 141 (FIG. 15) comprising a tubular housing 142 having a transverse base plate 143 secured within and intermediate the ends thereof. The base plate 143 and housing 142 thus form upper and lower square shape cup units 144 and 146, respectively, open to opposite ends of the housing 142. The upper end of a sleeve 79 on the lower shoring structure 20 is received within the lower cup unit 146 to a position defined by the support of the base plate 143 on the sleeve. A ground plate 147 of a lifting unit is then positioned within the upper cup unit 144, it being noted that the plate 147 is of a square shape so as to fit in a nested relation within the confines of the housing 142.

A shoring structure 20 is readily adapted to provide a variable load supportingsurface -by' assembly with one or more like shoring structures, 20. Thus as shown in FIG. 2, a shoring structure is illustrated as being extended in directions transversely and longitudinally thereof. Referring to FIG. 3 it is seen that longitudinal extension is accomplished simplyj by connecting additional transverse members 126 at one of their'ends to the mounting flanges 36, it being understood that the opposite ends thereof would be similarly connected to additional posts 22. In like manner, a shoring structure 20 is transversely extended by the use of additional transverse members 27 connected to and'extended between the flanges "36 on a post -22 and on a corresponding additionally provided transversely spaced post 22.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes can be made therein within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A shoring structure for metal concrete forms, comprising:

(a) A frame means including four upright corner posts, each of which has a flat top surface,

(b) truss assembly mounting units corresponding to said corner posts,

(c) means adjustably supporting each mounting unit adjacent the upper end of a post for vertical movement thereon relative to the top surfaces of the post,

(d) a longitudinally extended truss assembly including a truss form releasably connected to and extended between each pair of longitudinally spaced mounting units for vertical movement therewith,

(e) said truss forms having flat top surfaces in a common horizontal plane.

(f) a plurality of form members extended between and releasably connected to said truss forms for vertical movement therewith, said form members having flat top surfaces lying in said common plane, and

(g) said mounting units being vertically movable to a first adjusted position wherein said common plane is in the plane of the top surfaces of said posts, and to a second adjusted position wherein said common plane is lower than the plane of the top surfaces of said posts.

2. A shoring structure for concrete forms comprising:

(a) a frame means including a plurality of corner posts having flat upper end surfaces,

(b) mounting units corresponding to said corner posts,

(c) means reciprocally supporting each mounting unit on a corresponding corner post for selective vertical movement to raised and lowered positions thereon relative to said flat upper end surfaces,

(d) a plurality of releasably interconnected forms having flat top surfaces in a common horizontal plane.

(e) means for supporting said interconnected forms on said mounting units for vertical movement therewith,

(f) said upper end surfaces of the corner posts being in said common plane when the mounting units are in said raised positions therefor, and

(g) said common plane being lower than the upper end surfaces of said posts when the mounting units are in said lowered positions therefor.

3. A shoring structure for metal concrete forms comprising:

(a) a frame means including a plurality of corner posts having horizontal top surfaces,

(b) truss assembly mounting units corresponding to said corner posts,

(c) means adjustably supporting each mounting unit on a corresponding post for vertical movement thereon to raised and lowered positions relative to said horizontal top surfaces, i

(d) a pair of truss assemblies havinghorizontal top surfaces, a

(e) means releasably connecting each truss-assembly to and extended between a pair of oppositely arranged mounting units so that the pair of trussassemblies are in a parallel relation, a

( f) a plurality of for-m members having horizontal top surfaces extended between said truss assemblies,

(g) means releasably connecting said form members to said truss assemblies with the top surfaces thereof in a-plane common to the top surfaces of said truss assemblies,

(h) said top surfaces of the corner posts being in said common plane when the mounting units are in said raised positions therefor, and

(i) said common plane being lower than the top surfaces of the corner posts when the mounting units are in said lowered position therefor. I

4. A shoring structure for metal concrete forms includ- (a) frame means having four corner posts with 'horizontal top surfaces,

(b) truss assembly mounting units corresponding to said corner posts,

(c) means adjustably supporting each mounting unit on a corresponding post for vertical movement thereon to adjusted positions relative to said top'surfaces,

(d) a pair of oppositely arranged parallel truss assemblies, each truss assembly extended between and connected to a pair of mounting units, each truss assembly including a horizontal top surface,

(e) metal forms extended between and releasably connected to said truss assemblies, each of said forms having a top horizontal surface in the plane of the top surfaces of said truss assemblies, and

(i) said metal forms, truss assemblies and mounting units being movable as a single unit to a-first adjusted position of said mounting units wherein the top surfaces of said metal forms and truss assemblies form a continuous horizontal surface with the top surfaces of said corner posts, and to a second adjusted position of said mounting units wherein the top surfaces of said metal forms and truss assemblies are below the top surfaces of said corner posts.

5. A shoring structure according to claim 4 including:

(a) coactin-g means on said posts and mounting units for releasably looking said mounting units in said first adjusted position.

6. A shoring structure according to claim 4 including:

(a) coacting means on said truss assemblies and metal for-ms for holding said truss assemblies and metal forms against relative downward movement when the top surfaces of the metal forms are in the plane of the top surfaces of said truss assemblies.

7. A shoring structure for metal concrete forms, comprising:

(a) frame means including four upright corner posts having horizontai top surfaces,

(b) truss assembly mounting units corresponding to said corner posts,

(c) means adjustably supporting each mounting unit on a corresponding post for selective vertical movement thereon to raised and lowered positions relative to said top surfaces,

(d) a pair of oppositely arranged parallel truss assemblies, having horizontal top surfaces, each truss assembly extended between and releasably connected to a pair of mounting units,

(e) a plurality of contiguous metal for-ms extended between and releasably connected to said truss assemblies, each of said forms having a horizontal upper surface in a plane common to the top surfaces of said truss assemblies,

(f) said metal forms and truss assemblies on movement of the mounting units to raised positions therefor being movable as a single unit relative to the corner posts to provide for the top surfaces of said corner posts being coextensive with said common plane, and

(g) said metal forms, and truss assemblies on movement of the mounting units to lowered positions therefor, having said common plane below the top surfaces of said corner posts to provide for the removal of said metal forms from said tnuss assemblies and the removal of said truss assemblies from said mounting units.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS OBrien 182179 McKay 249--24 MacIvor 249-18 Hueber 249-50 X Roos 24928 X Gray 182179 X Bowden et al 24928 X Gostling 24918 X Morrison 249-24 X J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner. 

